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Fertilising Your Aquarium

Fertilisers are incredibly important to ensure your plants thrive, outcompete algae and allow your environment to truly evolve. Through this guide, we will cover, which one will suit your needs and the different types of fertilisers there are.

Rich Type vs Lean Type

There are two types of fertilisers. A rich type includes your macro nutrients, this is your NPK - Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and your Potassium (K) and they include your micro nutrients. These are what plants use in the most quantity of. If you have low fish stock, but a heavily planted tank, rich type would be advisable.

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Rich types are vital for high energy aquariums, due to high intense lighting and CO2. Plants will demand more water change, more fertilisers as a result. Lean type fertilisers are your Micro Nutrients only. No NPK but it contain, Iron, Born, Calcium, Manganese and so on. These are ideal for tanks filled with Crypts, Java Fern, Buce, Anubias and some stem species.

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Lean type - Low Energy

Rich type - High Energy 

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Plant Growth vs Algae Growth

We hear a lot from our customers that if I add fertilisers to the water, won't that fuel algae? Simply put, no! Plants need to be given the environment to thrive, therefore they will utilise the food so they outcompete algae. A common mistake is to notice algae growth and discontinue ferts. This will result in stressed plants and algae will take over more.

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Result of NOT fertilising

As stated, plant food is very important to long term health. While they are here with us, we feed them daily. As a result, they have built up nutrient reserves so they will last a few weeks without it. However we recommend to dose from day 1. This will ensure they have more than they need to thrive.

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If fertilisers are not given, plants become stressed as they starve. This will result in internal decay which releases additional ammonia. Fish tend to target plants as they soften and become a source of food. Healthy plants should not be a target, unless you have goldfish..

Algae will use this source of ammonia to grow. This is why you may find algae growing on plants. In addition to decay, you will see various forms of deficiency. Crinkled leaves on echinodorus may be signs of calcium deficiency. White pin holes in Hygrophila species may be signs of potassium deficency so it is always highly recommended to feed your plants.

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Which Brand?

Like any product, there are many products that reach the desired result. However through our testing of our own displays, we have discovered what brands are the most effective and recommendations to dose.

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Many brands recommend to dose a weekly amount. However, from our experience we have discovered improved results from daily dosing but smaller amounts. Certain compounds such as Iron and Calcium are of a low percentage, as a result they will not last a full week. We recommend to calculate the weekly dose, divide by 7 and daily dose.

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We recommend Seachem Flourish, Easy Life Profito and Tropica. During our consultations we advise to choose a brand with a high scientific background to ensure the best quality and result. 

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Get in Touch

If you require additional help, please get in touch and chat to one of our aquarists. We're readily available on Facebook, Instagram, Email or simply call us.

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